Foreign Policy: Taliban-Russia military deal heightens Pakistan’s concerns
Foreign Policy magazine has warned in a new analysis that the recent military-technical agreement between the Taliban and Russia could increase Pakistan’s security concerns and escalate tensions between the two sides.
Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the author of the article, wrote that Pakistani officials fear that the Taliban will use this cooperation to strengthen their military capabilities and put more pressure on Pakistan in possible future confrontations.
Although the full details of the agreement have not yet been released, Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan, had previously announced that this cooperation mainly focuses on the repair, maintenance, and reconstruction of Russian-made military equipment in Afghanistan.
The report states that one of the main factors in the continued tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan is the Taliban’s close ties with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the author, the Taliban have so far shown little willingness to implement Islamabad’s demands to contain the group, and their track record shows that they will not simply distance themselves from their allies.
Foreign Policy also emphasized that the Taliban are concerned that any tough action against the TTP could cause dissatisfaction within their internal ranks and even push some forces towards the Khorasan branch of ISIS.
The article continues by stating that despite several rounds of regional and international talks and mediations, including those held with the support of China in the city of Urumqi, no agreement has yet been reached to formally curb the activities of the TTP.
The author considers regional developments and the sensitivity of the situation around Iran as another reason for the recent decline in clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan. According to him, Pakistan is trying to play an active role in regional diplomatic movements and prevent the spread of new crises on its borders.
The Taliban, given Afghanistan’s proximity to Iran, are also not interested in opening a new front of tension under the current circumstances.
This analysis was published while Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid announced the signing of a military-technical agreement with Russia after a trip to Moscow. He emphasized that the main focus of this agreement is the reconstruction and repair of Russian military equipment in Afghanistan.
Yaqub Mujahid also warned that Islamabad will no longer be able to carry out such measures with the ease of the past, referring to Pakistan’s past airstrikes on Afghan soil.
Reporter Shahbanu Noori
Foreign Policy: Taliban-Russia military deal heightens Pakistan’s concerns
